Mode changeover apparatus for a miniature type cassette tape recorder

ABSTRACT

In a miniature type cassette tape recorder, a mode changeover apparatus can perform changeover operation between a recording or reproducing mode, tape fast forwarding mode, tape rewinding mode, and stop mode etc. by operating a single operating button. In accordance with operation of the operating button, a driving plate on which magnetic heads and a pinch roller are mounted slides in a longitudinal direction or swings in a lateral direction. By the lateral swinging movement of the driving plate, one of two idlers provided between two pulleys adapted for rotating spools contained within a cassette is brought into contact with one of the two pulleys to effect fast forwarding or rewinding of the tape.

a ilnited States Patent 1 1 1111 3,810,241 Murata May 7, 1974 MODE CHANGEOVER APPARATUS FOR A r 3,417,936 12/1968 Paape 242/201 MINIATURE T CASSETTE TAPE 3,559,983 12/1970 Probst 274/4 D RECORDER FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventor; Sanjiro Murata, N() 10.60, 3 1,542,195 9/1968 France 274/4 D chome, Kami-Osaki, Tokyo, Japan Primary Examiner-Louis R. Prince [22] Ffled' Assistant Examiner-A. Jason Mirabite [21] Appl. No.: 104,718 Attorney, Agent, or FirmWaters, Roditi, Schwartz &

Nissen [30] 7 Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT May 9, 1970 Japan 45-39008 May 9 1970 Japan 45-44718 a mature type cassette tape recorder a mOde Ma 1970 Ja an 4544719 changeover apparatus can perform changeover operay p tion between a recording or reproducing mode, tape U S Cl 360/96 fast forwarding mode, tape rewinding mode, and stop [51] 15/10 mode etc. by operating a single operating button. In [58] Fieid 4/4 D H 4 C 14 accordance with operation of the operating button, a 42/261 driving plate on which magnetic heads and a pinch I roller are mounted slides in a longitudinal direction or [56] References Cited 1 swings in a lateral direction. By the lateral swinging movement of the driving plate, oneof two idlers pro- UNITED STATES PATENTS vided between two pulleys adapted for rotating spools 2,971,762 2/1961 Zern 274/4 D t i d within a cassette is brought into contact 2 22 323 g with one of the two pulleys to effect fast forwarding or amamo o 3,532,293 10/1970 Rose 274/1] D 1 rewmdmg of the tape 3,542,312 6/1968 Erickson 242/202 6 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY H974 3.810.241 v SBEEIIUFG 11" IIZI PATENTEDMAY 7 I914 sum 2 or 6 mmllmmmm P REC 1 MODE CHANGEOVER APPARATUS FOR A MINIATURE TYPE CASSETTE TAPE RECORDER This invention relates to a mode changeover apparatus for a miniature type cassette tape recorder and more particularly to an apparatus for effecting a mode changeover between a recording mode, reproducing mode, tape fast forwarding mode, rewinding mode etc. in a ultraminiature cassette tape recorder.

In a conventional cassette tape recorder, 'mode changeover between a recording mode, reproducing mode, tape fast forwarding mode, tape rewinding mode, stop mode etc. is effected by providing operating buttons each of which corresponds vto each mode. There are-also provided operating mechanisms each of which corresponds to each operating button. An operator who operates this conventional cassette tape recorder is required to select a'correct operating button for his desired mode. It is frequently happened, however, that theoperator, particularly a person who is unskilled or inexperienced in the use of such tape recorder, operates a wrong button among many operating buttons provided on the apparatus.

It is also to be pointed out that the provision of a plurality of operating buttons and operating mechanisms each of which corresponds to each mode makes the construction of the mode changeover apparatus extremely complicated as a'whole. Accordingly, the conventional taperecorder requires a number of component parts for constructing the changeover apparatus resulting in a high manufacturing cost. Moreover, troubles frequently occur due to its complicated mechanism and a relatively large space is required for accommodating this changeover-apparatus.

Accordingly,- miniaturization of a cassette tape recorder hasbeen restricted by the size of the aforementioned changeover apparatus. Parcicularly, in designing a pocket size ultraminiature cassette tape recorder difficulties have been encountered in reducing the size of this changeover apparatus. Again, in the conventional miniature cassette tape recorder, a considerable portion of the space in the case is occupied by this changeover apparatus, so that the electric circuit has to be simplifed and a speaker has to be made as small as possible at thesacrifice of reproduced sound quality.

It is, therefore, a general object of this invention to provide a novel and useful mode changeover apparatus for a miniature type cassette tape recorder, eliminating the above describeddisadvantages of the conventional apparatus. g

Another object of the invention is to provide a mode changeover apparatus in which mode changeover can be effected by a mechanism of a very simple and compact construction. By application of the apparatus according to thisinvention to a cassette tape recorder,

design of a ultraminiature cassette tape recorder can be I made feasible. In a cassette tape recorder in which the mode changeover apparatus is employed, the quality of the reproduced sound can be improved because, even though the tape recorder may be made more compact than the conventional tape recorder, it has larger space for-accommodating the electric circuit and the speaker. Simplification of the construction of the mode change-- over mechanism also contributes to reduction in the number of necessary component parts thereby saving manufacturing cost and lessening likelihood of troubles in the product.

simply and accurately without the A further object of the invention is to provide a mode changeover apparatus which is capable of effecting mode changeover between a recording mode, reproducing mode, tape fast forwarding mode, tape rewinding mode, stop modeetc. by forward and backward, and rightward and leftward operations of a single button. The cassette tape recorder to which the apparatus according to this invention is applied can be operated risk of any erroneous operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mode changeover apparatus which has a simple construction and is capable of selectively effecting the tape fast forwarding operation and the tape rewinding operation through a simple mechanism by merely moving a driving plate in the rightwardand leftward directions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mode changeover apparatus in which a driving plate for effecting mode changeoveroperationcan be returned to its original position after its forward and backward,

and rightward and leftward operations and a switch can be opened and closed by means of a single lever and a single spring.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the description made hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: I

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the ultraminiature cassette tape recorder in which the apparatus according to this invention is employed, showingthe cassette insertionside; I I

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view showing the speaker side of the tape recorder shown in ,FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view showing the operating button side of tape recorder shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the driving mechanism according to the invention in its non-operation state;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the same mechanism in its stateshown in FIG. 4;

' 1 FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the mechanism in its state shown in FIG. 10.

One embodiment of the ultraminiature cassette tape recorder in which an apparatus according to this invention is employed will now be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In FIG. 1, a cassette tape recorder 10 is provided on its top side with a top cover 11 which is pivotally supported by shafts 12. The top cover 11 is openable by rotating upwardly and a cassette is placed in a loaded position in a case 13. The 'top cover 11 is provided with a transparent window l4.-Winclings 15a and 15b of magnetic tape respectively wound around'a supply spool and a take-up spool in the cassette can-be observed through the window 14.

The bottom side of the case 13 is provided with a grill 16 as shown in FIG. 2. The grill 16 is provided with a number of slits for facilitating passage of sounds of a speaker to the outside.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the side of the case shown in FIG. I is defined, for the sake of convenience, as the top side and the side shown in FIG. 2 as the bottom side. In actual use, however, the cassette insertion side shown in FIG. 1 is used as a top side in the recording mode and the speaker side shown in FIG. 2 is used as a top side in the reproducing mode. Accordingly, the determination of the top and bottom sides of the case in actual use depends upon the modes in use. The tape recorder can also be used to its erected position.

In FIG. 3 a single operatingbutton 17 is provided protrudingly on a front panel 18 of thecase 13. The operating button 17 is so constructed as to be capable of moving forward and backward, and rightward and leftward directionsas will be described later more in detail. The front panel 18 is further provided with a volume control revolving knob 19, level meter 20, microphone jack 21 etc.

One embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11. First, the construction of the embodiment will be illustrated referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 which show the apparatus in its stop mode.

In FIG. 4, a baseplat'e is fixedly mounted in the case 13 of the cassette tape recorder 10. A motor 31 is fixedly at a corner of the base plate 30. Pulley supporting plates 33 and 34 are provided on an edge of an opening 32 formed in the base plate 30. Pulleys 37 and 38 which are provided respectively with a winding shaft 35 and a rewinding shaft 36 are respectively rotatably mounted on the pulley supporting plates 33 and 34. A swinging plate is pivotally mounted at its end on the base plate 30 by means of a shaft 39.

Idlers 41 and 42 are rotatably supported on the swinging plate 40. The idlers 41 and 42 are located between the pulleys 37 and 38. When the swinging plate 40 is swung, as will be described later, in the clockwise direction in'FIG. l, the idler 41 is brought into contact with the pulley 37 whereas when the swinging plate 40 is swung in the counterclockwise direction, the idler 42 is brought into contact with the pulley 38. An ereasing head 44, a recording and reproducing head 45 and a pinch roller 46 are fixed in a lateral direction on the base portion of a substantially inverted T shaped driving plate 43. The projecting leg portion of the driving plate 43 covering the middle part of the opening 32 is formed at its center with an opening 47. Resilient rod springs 49 and which are parallel with each other are fixed at their one ends to a pin 48 provided on the,

driving plate 43. The other ends of the springs 49 and 50 are urged against both sides of a small projection 51 provided at the edge of the opening 47. A pin 52 fixed on the swinging plate 40 projects into the opening 47 between the springs 49 and 50. The swinging plate 40 is normally held at a stable neutral position by the springs 49 and 50 through the pin 52.

A lever 53 is pivotally supported by a shaft 54 on the base plate 30 and has three arm portions 55, 57 and 60. A switch cam 56 is rotatable about a pin 89 due to its gravity. In FIG. 4, the lower fore end of the cam 56 is at a height at which it can push the arm portion 55 of the lever 53. When the tape recorder is turned over as shown in FIG. 5, the cam 56 is rotated by its own gravity into a position in which it cannot push the arm portion 55. A lever 59 is pivotally supported about a shaft 58 fixed to the base plate 30 and has a pawl 59a provided on its upper surface. A recording-reproducing changeover switch 61 is actuated by a rotating motion of the arm portion 60. In this connection, it is to be noted that the applicant has already disclosed a principle of a switch using a gravity-operated changeover means in U.S. Pat. No. 3,485,963 patented Dec. 23, 1969.

In FIG. 5, a slot 62 is formed at a front central part of the base plate 30. The slot 62 is substantially in the form of an inverted T shape having a leg-like slot portion 62a and arm-like slot portions 62band 620. A pin 63 provided at a front central part of the under surface of the driving plate 43 is engaged in the slot 62.

A lever 64 is pivotally supported by a shaft 65 on the base plate 30. One arm 64a of the lever 64 is formed at its foremost end into a V-shapedportion 66. Between another arm 64b of the lever 64 and the base plate 30, there is provided a spring 67.'In FIG. 5, the lever 64 receives a rotating force in the counterclockwise direction by the spring 67. Hence, the lever 64 urges the pin 63 at the bottom of the V" shaped engaging portion 66 in the direction of an arrow A whereby the pin 63 and the driving plate 43 are normally held at a stable non-operating neutral position. A movable contact member 87 of a main switch 86 is normally urged against the foremost end of the arm 64b of the lever 64 thereby opening the circuit.

An engaging pin 98 provided at the fore end on the under surface of the driving plate 43 is engaged in a guide slot 68 formed in the base plate 30 in the direction of arrows A and B. An engaging plate 69 is of the same shape as the one used in a well known push-on and push-off switch and is mounted on the base plate 30 by a shaft 70. The engaging plate 69 is rotatable about the shaft 70 in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions and also slightly movable in the vertical direction along the shaft 70. The engaging plate 69 receives a rotating force in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5 and is always urged against the pin 98.

A flywheel 72 is formed coaxially and integrally with a pulley 74 and is rotatably supported on a supporting plate 75 fixed to the base plate 30. A capstan 73 is coaxially provided on the upper surface of the flywheel 72, projecting through an opening 93 formed in the base plate 30.

A lever 76 is pivotally mounted by a shaft 77 on the base plate 30. A pulley 78 and an idler 84 formed integrally therewith are rotatably mounted on the base plate 30. On the upper surface of another endof the lever 76, there is provided a pin 79. The lever 76 receives a rotating force in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 5 by a spring 81 provided between a point adjacent said other end of the lever and the base plate 30. Hence, the pin 79 is always urged against a side projection 80 formed at the fore end of the driving plate 43. v

A belt 83 is passed around a shaft 82 of the motor 31 and the pulley 74. The pulley 78 is pressing the belt 83 from the outside. At this time, the idler 84 is spaced apart from the pulley 37 of the taking-up side. A belt 85 is passed around the idlers 41 and 42 and a pulley (not shown) formed integrally withthe flywheel 72 on the upper surface thereof. The belt 85 is passed substantially in the shape of S" around the idlers 41 and 42, so that the idlers 41 an 42 rotate in the opposite direction to each other as the belt 85 runs.

A projection 88 is provided at the front central portion of the driving plate 43 and the operating button 17 is fixed to this projection 88. In FIG. 5, a plate part 90 shown by a chain line is a plate carrying component parts of the electric circuit and is rigidly mounted on the base plate 30 by screws 91 and 92. A speaker of a relatively large diameter (not shown) is disposed in a space formed about the center 0 which is substantially at the center of the base plate 30.

Nextly, operation of the apparatus having the above described construction will be illustrated.

In a state prior to the start of the operation, each component part is in the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Before recording on or reproducing from the tape in a cassette, the cover 11 shown in FIG. 1 is opened and a cassette 100 is placed in a loaded position indicated by a chain line as shown in FIG. 6.

An operation in the recording mode will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The operating button 17 is pushed in the direction of an arrow B. The

driving plate 43 slides longitudinally in the direction of made a-top side, the cam 56 drops by its own gravity to the position in which it can contact the arm portion 55. Accordingly, the sliding movement of the driving plate 43 causes the cam 56 to move the lever 53 in a rotating motion; The counterclockwise rotating movement of the lever 5.3 actuates the switch 61 to close the electric circuit for the recording mode. This mechanism may be replaced by a known mechanism in which another button for the recording mode is provided besides the operating button I 17. and the apparatus is changed over therecording mode only when both buttons are pushed.

As the driving plate 43 slides in the direction of the arrow B, the engaging pin 98 advances and causes the engaging plate 69 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction against a resilient force of the spring 71. As the driving plate 43 and the engaging pin98 further advance, the pin 98 engages a slot 94 formed at the fore end of the engaging plate 69 thereby stoppingits move ment. At this'time, the engaging plate 69 moves in a rotating motion in the clockwise direction by force of the spring 71 and the pin 98 comes into abutting contact with an intermediate step 95 of the slot- 94. Accordingly, the driving plate 43 is held in the displaced position even after the operating button 17 is released-from pushing.

With the sliding movement of the driving plate 43, the pin 63 moves in the direction of the arrow B. The pin 63, while being engaged at the bottom of the engaging portion 66, causes the lever 64 to rotate in the clockwise direction against a force of the spring 67. By the rotating movement of the lever 64, the movable contact member 87 of the main switch 86 is pushed by the foremost end of the arm 64b to close the main switch 86. Thus the electric current flows in the electric.

circuitand the motor startsits rotation.

Further, as the driving plate 43 slides in the direction of the arrow B, the side projection 80 moves in the same direction thereby releasing the pin 79 from enthe pulley 37. The rotational force of the motor 31 is transmitted to the pulley 37 through the belt83, the

pulley 78 and the idler 84. Then the pulley 37 and the winding shaft 35 rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6 thereby winding a tape contained in the cassette 100. v

With the sliding movement of the driving plate 43 in the direction of the arrow B, the magnetic heads 44 and 45 and the pinch roller 46 also move in the direction of the arrow B, enter into the cassette 100 from its front opening and come into contact with the tape in the cassette 100. At this time thepinch roller 46 is urged against the capstan 73 through the tape. The capstan 73 is being rotated by the rotational force of the motor 31 transmitted through the belt 83 and the pulley 74. Accordingly, the tape is run at a constant speed by the capstan 73 and the pinch roller 46. Thus erasing is effected by the erasing magnetichead 44 and recording is effected by the recording and reproducing magnetic head 45 respectively on the tape.

For changing over the apparatus to the stop mode upon completion of the recording, the button 17 is further pushed in the direction of the arrow B. With the movement of the driving plate 43, the engagingpin 98 advances further in the direction of the arrow B and comes out-of engagement with the intermediate step 95. The engaging plate 69 is slightly rotated in the clockwise direction by a force of the spring 71 and the engaging pin 98 engages with an inner step 97. A projection 96 provided between the intermediate step and the inner step 97 is curved upwardly at its foremost end in FIG. 7-. The driving plate 43 and the engaging pin 98 are always subject to a sliding force applied. by

the spring 67 through the lever 64 and'the pin 63.

Under this condition, when the button 17 is released,

the engaging pin 98 slips into the under side of the pro-. 'jection 96 in FIG. 7, moves slightly in the direction of part returns'to the state shown in FIG. 5. The main" switch 86 is opened. again whereby the device is changed over to the stop mode.

Incase a cassette which has been recorded and requires no more recording'is inserted in the case 13, the pawl 59a of the lever 59 engages in a recess formed in the back side of the cassette 100 according to a well known construction, thereby locking the lever 59. Accordingly, even if the button 17 is erroneously pushed, the arm portion 57 of the lever 53 is blocked by the foremost end of the lever 59 whereby the lever 53 is prevented from rotating and the driving plate 43 is prevented from slidingfThus, an erroneous changeover to the record mode can be prevented.

Nextly, an operation in the reproducing mode will be described. After the cassette 100 is loaded in the cassette tape recorder as described above, the case 13 is bodily turned over so-that the speaker faces upward as ing plate 43 in the same direction as in the case of the recording mode. However, when the driving plate 43 reaches the position shown in FIG. 6 after its sliding movement in the direction of the arrow B, the cam 56 does not contact the arm portion 55. Accordingly, the switch 61 is not actuated and the electric circuit remains in the reproducing mode. As to the compoment parts other than the mode changeover switch and the parts connected thereto described above, these component parts operate in the same manner as in the case of the recording mode by the sliding movement of the driving plate 43 whereby the playing back of the tape in the cassette 100 is effected.

An operation in the tape rewinding mode will now be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In this mode,the button 17 is pushed sidewards in the direction of an arrow C as shown in FIG. 8. By this operation of the button 17, the driving plate 43 moves in a rotational motion about the pin 98 engaged in the slot 68 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 8. At this time, the pin 63 is guided along the arm-like slot portion 62b of the slot 62 as shown in FIG. 9.

The pivotal movement of the driving plate 43 in the direction of the arrow C causes the spring 50 one end of which is fixed to the pin 48 to push and swing the pin 52 fixed to the swinging plate 40 to the left as shown in FIG. 8. This causes the swinging plate 40 to swing about the pin 39 in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 8 (in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 9). whereby the idler 42 is-brought into a pressing contact with the outer periphery of the pulley 38.

As the driving plate 43 rotates in the direction of the arrow C, the pin 63 guided along the slot portion 62b pushes the slope of the engaging portion 66 of the lever 64. This causes the lever 64 to move in a rotational motion in the clockwise direction against the force of the spring 67. The movable contact member 87 is pushed by the arm 64b of the lever 64 to close the main switch 86 whereby the motor 31 starts its rotation.

The rotational force of the motor 3] is transmitted to the idler 42 through the belt 83, the pulley 74 and the belt.85 to cause the idler 42 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 8 (in the clockwise direction in FIG. 9). The diameter of the idler 42 is so selected that it is larger than the diameter of the idler 84. Accordingly, the pulley 3 8 and the shaft 36 rotate at a relatively high speed, rewinding the tape contained in the cassette 100 at a relatively high speed.

After completion of the rewinding'of the tape, the button 17 is released. The lever 64 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 9 by the force of the spring 67. The rotating lever 64 pushes the pin 63 by the slope of the engaging portion 66 in the direction of an arrow D. This causes the pin'63 and the driving plate 43 to move in a rotational motion in the direction of the arrow D to return to their neutral position shown in FIG. 1. The main switch 86 is again opened because of the counterclockwise rotational movement of the lever 64 and the tape rewinding mode is completed.

An operation of the tape fast forwarding mode will now be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In this mode, the button 17 is pushed sidewards in the direction of the arrow D. 'By this operation of the button 17, the driving plate 43 moves in a pivotal motion about the engaging pin 98 engaged in the slot 68 in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 10. The pin 63 is guided along the slot portion 62c of the slot 62 as shown in FIG. 11.

The rotational movement of the driving plate 43 in the direction of the arrow D causes the spring 49 one end of which is fixed to the pin 48 to push and swing the pin 52 fixed to the swinging plate 40 to the right as shown in FIG. 10. This causes the swinging plate 40 to rotate about the shaft 39 in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 10 (in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 11) whereby the idler 41 is brought into a pressing contact with the outer periphery of the pulley 37. 1

As the driving plate 43 rotates in the direction of the arrow D, the pin 63 guided along the slot portion 620 pushes a slope formed on the other side of the engaging portion 66 of the lever 64. This causes the lever 64 to move in a rotational motion in the clockwise direction against the force of the spring 67. The movable contact member 87 is pushed by the arm 64b of th lever 64 to close the main switch 86 whereby the motor 3] starts it rotation.

The rotational force of the motor 31 is transmitted to the idler 41 through the belt 83, the pulley 74 and the idler to cause the idler 41 to rotate in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 10 (in the counterclockwise direction as shown in'FIG. 11). The diameter of the idler 4 1 is to selected that it is larger than the diameter of the idler 84. Accordingly, the pulley 37 and the shaft 35 rotate at relatively high speed, winding the tape contained in the cassette at a relatively high speed.

After completion of the fast forwarding of the tape, the button 17 is released. The lever 64 is rotated by the force of the spring 67 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 11. The rotating lever 64 pushes the pin 63 by the slope of the engaging portion 66 in the direction of the arrow C. This causes the pin 63 and the driving plate 43 to move in a pivotal motion in the direction of the arrow C to return to their neutral positions shown in FIG. I. The main switch 86 is opened again because of the counterclockwise rotational movement of the lever 64 and the tape fast forwarding mode is completed.

It is to be noted that during the rewinding mode and the tape fast forwarding mode, the magnetic heads 44 and 45 and the pinch roller 46 are not in contact with the tape contained inthe cassette 100. Accordingly, the tape will not be damaged by the above'described rewinding operation or fast forwarding operation.

The apparatus according to this invention having the above described construction is capable of performing each operation in the aforementioned modes simply by operating the single button 17 and the driving plate 43 attached thereto longitudinally (forwardly and backwardly) and laterally (leftwardly and rightwardly). This results in simplification of the construction and realization of-a ultraminiature cassette tape recorder. Again this apparatus has fewer component parts and therefore the manufacturing cost is lower than the conventional apparatus. Furthermore, the apparatus can provide a relatively large space in the case 13 due to its simplified construction. This is advantageous in that the cassette tape recorder can accommodate a larger speaker, amplifier etc. than an ordinary cassette tape recorder in spite of its ultraminiature size thereby obtaining an excellent reproduced sound in spite of its size.

The push-on and push-off mechanism of the button 17 using the engaging plate '69may be replaced by other well known mechanisms. And the invention is not limited to the embodiment described hereinabove but various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. A mode change-over apparatus for a miniature cassette tape recorder, comprising: a base plate for sup porting a driving motor and two spaced-apart pulleys for rotating a. tape take-up spool and a tape supply spool in a cassette loaded thereon; a driving plate including a first portion for supporting an erasing magnetichead, a recording and reproducing magnetic head and a pinch roller substantially in one line, and a second portion extended from the middle portion of one side of said first portion, perpendicularly to said line and in a plane including said first portion, said driving plate being supported on said base plate so that said driving plate is slidably and swingably movable; an opcrating button provided at the middle portion of the other side of said first portion of the driving plate; first means for guiding said driving'plate in asliding movement in parallel with said baseplate and in et direction perpendicular to said line; second means for guiding said driving plate in a swinging movement in parallel with said base plate and about anfl axis at the foremost end of said second portion of thedriving plate; two idlers rotatably mounted on aiplate swingably supported on said base plate; said driving plate being guided in said sliding movement by said first guide means by a sliding operation of said button in said direction along the extension of said second portion of the driving plate; said magnetic heads and said pinch rollerbeing disposed on said driving plate so that said magnetic heads and said pinch roller arebrought into contact with the tape contained in said cassette by said sliding movement of the driving plate, for changing from a stop mode to a recording or a reproducing mode; and said driving plate being guided in said swinging movement by said second guide means by a swinging operation of said button about said axis-said idlers and said pulleys being disposed so that one of said idlers is brought into contact with one of said pulleys to rotate the latter by said swinging movement of the driving plate for changing from said stop mode to a tape fast forward mode of a tape rewind'mode.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting the rotational force of said motor to said idlers to rotate the same in opposite directions;

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further com-- prising a belt passed around said idlers substantially in said motor to saididlers to rotate the same in opposite directions, said second guiding means means including a pin provided on said swingable plate and pushing means provided on said driving plate, and being engaged with said pin to push it, and said swingabl e plate being swung by said swinging movement of the driving plate to bring a selected one of said idlers into contact with a selected one of said pulleys.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pin provided on said driving plate, a rotatable lever having at one end, an engaging portion substantially in V shape, being engaged with said pin, and a spring exerting a rotating force on said lever so that said engaging portion is always in abutting contact with said pin, said lever exerting a pushing force on said pin so as to guide the latter at the bottom of said engaging portion and hold said pin in position by said for'ce exerted by the spring, and said driving plate returning to its neutral position by said force exerted through said lever, and said pin upon release of said driving plate from an operating force.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and said second guide means include a first guiding slot formed at said base plate in said direction along the extension of said second portion of the driving plate, a first pin provided at the foremost end of said second portion and engaged in said first slot, a second guiding slot including a linear portion formed-at said base plate along said extension of the second portion and an arcuate slotportion formed at said base plate along the direction of swinging of said driving plate, said linear and said arcuate slot portions being connected with each other, and a second pin provided on said driving plate and engaged in said second slot, said driving plate being guided in said sliding movement by said first pin guided along said first slot, and said second pin guided along said linear portion of the second slot, and said driving plate being further guided in said swinging movement by said first pin which acts as said axis of the swinging movement while being engaged in said first slot, and

said second pin guided along said arcuate portion of said second slot. I Y

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, further comprising a rotatable lever having at one end an engaging portion substantially in V shape, beingengaged with said second pin, a spring exerting a rotating force on said lever so that said engaging portion is always in abutting contact with said second pin, and a switch hav- S shape, said belt transmitting the rotational force of ing a contact member which is in contact with said lever and is opened and closed by the movement of said lever, thelatter being rotated through said second pin according to said sliding and swinging movements of said driving plate.. s 

1. A mode change-over apparatus for a miniature cassette tape recorder, comprising: a base plate for supporting a driving motor and two spaced-apart pulleys for rotating a tape take-up spool and a tape supply spool in a cassette loaded thereon; a driving plate including a first portion for supporting an erasing magnetic head, a recording and reproducing magnetic head and a pinch roller substantially in one line, and a second portion extended from the middle portion of one side of said first portion, perpendicularly to said line and in a plane including said first portion, said driving plate being supported on said base plate so that said driving plate is slidably and swingably movable; an operating button provided at the middle portion of the other side of said first portion of the driving plate; first means for guiding said driving plate in a sliding movement in parallel with said base plate and in a direction perpendicular to said line; second means for guiding said driving plate in a swinging movement in parallel with said base plate and about an axis at the foremost end of said second portion of the driving plate; two idlers rotatably mounted on a plate swingably supported on said base plate; said driving plate being guided in said sliding movement by said first guide means by a sliding operation of said button in said direction along the extension of said second portion of the driving plate; said magnetic heads and said pinch roller being disposed on said driving plate so that said magnetic heads and said pinch roller are brought into contact with the tape contained in said cassette by said sliding movement of the driving plate, for changing from a stop mode to a recording or a reproducing mode; and said driving plate being guided in said swinging movement by said second guide means by a swinging operation of said button about said axis said idlers and said pulleys being disposed so that one of said idlers is brought into contact with one of said pulleys to rotate the latter by said swinging movement of the driving plate for changing from said stop mode to a tape fast forward mode of a tape rewind mode.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting the rotational force of said motor to said idlers to rotate the same in opposite directions.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a belt passed around said idlers substantially in ''''S'''' shape, said belt transmitting the rOtational force of said motor to said idlers to rotate the same in opposite directions, said second guiding means means including a pin provided on said swingable plate and pushing means provided on said driving plate, and being engaged with said pin to push it, and said swingable plate being swung by said swinging movement of the driving plate to bring a selected one of said idlers into contact with a selected one of said pulleys.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pin provided on said driving plate, a rotatable lever having at one end an engaging portion substantially in ''''V'''' shape, being engaged with said pin, and a spring exerting a rotating force on said lever so that said engaging portion is always in abutting contact with said pin, said lever exerting a pushing force on said pin so as to guide the latter at the bottom of said engaging portion and hold said pin in position by said force exerted by the spring, and said driving plate returning to its neutral position by said force exerted through said lever, and said pin upon release of said driving plate from an operating force.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and said second guide means include a first guiding slot formed at said base plate in said direction along the extension of said second portion of the driving plate, a first pin provided at the foremost end of said second portion and engaged in said first slot, a second guiding slot including a linear portion formed at said base plate along said extension of the second portion and an arcuate slot portion formed at said base plate along the direction of swinging of said driving plate, said linear and said arcuate slot portions being connected with each other, and a second pin provided on said driving plate and engaged in said second slot, said driving plate being guided in said sliding movement by said first pin guided along said first slot, and said second pin guided along said linear portion of the second slot, and said driving plate being further guided in said swinging movement by said first pin which acts as said axis of the swinging movement while being engaged in said first slot, and said second pin guided along said arcuate portion of said second slot.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, further comprising a rotatable lever having at one end an engaging portion substantially in ''''V'''' shape, being engaged with said second pin, a spring exerting a rotating force on said lever so that said engaging portion is always in abutting contact with said second pin, and a switch having a contact member which is in contact with said lever and is opened and closed by the movement of said lever, the latter being rotated through said second pin according to said sliding and swinging movements of said driving plate. 